Doctors step up in bid to tackle Qld's 'hidden waiting lists'

The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) has established a task force to address the state's growing surgery waiting lists. Queensland's Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie acknowledged that the government is taking steps to reduce wait times, but the AMAQ claims a significant issue remains. As of May, over 362,000 Queenslanders were waiting to get onto the waiting list, a 15% increase from the previous year.

This "waiting list to get on the waiting list" is the focus of AMAQ's working group, which will present recommendations to the government in early 2027. The six-member panel, chaired by former AMAQ president Dr Nick Yim, consists of specialists from various medical fields and across Queensland. Dr Yim emphasized the strain on healthcare professionals in regional areas, citing Hervey Bay as an example.

Over 14,000 patients were waiting to consult a specialist in May, and 60% of the most urgent cases were not seen within the recommended timeframe. Similar issues plagued Cairns, where 25,539 patients awaited an initial appointment, with nearly 45% of Category 1 patients failing to see a doctor within the recommended time. Similarly, Central Queensland saw a 46% surge in its waiting list, with only 38% of patients receiving care within the clinically recommended time.

AMAQ President Associate Professor Erica Gannon stressed that patients are spending months or even years waiting for basic care decisions. The task force aims to find practical solutions to ensure that timely and appropriate care is accessible for all Queenslanders, regardless of their location.